date back to追溯到…; 从…开始
例句：The history of the town dates back to the Middle Ages.
这个城镇的历史可回溯到中世纪。
2. Legend has it that this particular Valentine was martyred by a Roman emperor because he secretly presided over the marriages of young men and women, against the wishes of the Emperor, who wanted only single men to fight in his army.
preside over主持(会议、仪式等)
例句：Mr Smith will preside at the next meeting.
史密斯先生将主持下一次会议。
3. However, there is no historical evidence to back this up.
back up支持，证实；增援，后援
例句：He backed up his arguments with facts.
他以事实支持自己的论点。
4. They became so popular that by the middle of the 19th century, some 1.3-billion British pounds a year were being spent on Valentine's Day gifts.
spend on把…花在…
例句：He doesn't spend much time on his homework.
他花在作业上的时间不多。
5. And while the popularization of Valentine's Day is now ingrained in many parts of the world, February 14th hasn't managed to skirt controversy.
manage to达成,设法
例句：She managed to make herself understood in English.
她设法用英语表达自己的意思。
6. A number of Islamic countries have, in recent years, taken steps to try to ban or limit the celebration of Valentine's Day because of its historical connection to Christianity.
take steps采取措施
例句：They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.
他们采取措施阻止流感的传播。
